In normal patients, blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contain circulating cells and other molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. In patients with central nervous system (CNS) and other conditions, the levels of these molecules may be altered. In several other studies at our institution, the investigators are investigating such molecules in tumor specimens as well as the blood and cerebrospinal fluid of pediatric patients with CNS tumors. However, these levels are difficult to interpret without comparing them to levels in patients without CNS tumors. The investigators propose a study to collect small amounts of blood and cerebrospinal fluid from pediatric patients without CNS tumors who are undergoing a diagnostic or therapeutic neurosurgical procedure aimed at addressing altered CSF dynamics.

Children without central nervous system tumors between the ages of 1 year and 21 years who are undergoing a neurosurgical procedure to address hydrocephalus

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

1 Year to 21 Years

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Sampling Method:

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

All children without central nervous system tumors between the ages of 1 year and 21 years who are undergoing a neurosurgical procedure to address hydrocephalus during which CSF will be obtained will be considered

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Children without central nervous system tumors who are undergoing a neurosurgical procedure to address hydrocephalus during which CSF will be obtained

Between the ages of 1 year and 21 years

Patients must be having blood draws, lumbar punctures or CSF sampling from Ommaya reservoirs or VPS as part of routine clinical care.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients who do not require routine blood draws and/or CSF collection as part of their routine clinical care

Patients who are considered too ill to participate as determined by their treating physician

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To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01556178